When I first read The Hobbit my impression of the elves was that they were crazy pixies (or something of the like) hiding in the forest. Then with LOTR that all changed. It was Lalwendė who made the point that the elves could be more happy and carefree because there wasn't really much of a threat hanging over them. It goes the same for people, at one point in their life they can have fun and be carefree when some time later they are serious, then they can go back to being carefree later on.
So though the elves are happy-go-lucky and teasing of the dwarves in The Hobbit they, like many people, put that attitude away when something serious happens and it needs fixing.
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"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain
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